This isn't just Car and Driver, this is true of motor trend as well, and I am sure many other car magazines. The reality is, car journalists are not your average everyday driver and most of them value about the same things, which is the pleasure of driving. Mazda very often tops the list of best cars, because they often achieves that fun to drive element better than anyone else at that price point. Car journalists love them, but it doesn't translate in better sales because regular car drivers don't care as much for the fun to drive aspects and have other priorities (interior space, price, gadgets, perceived reliability,etc). This is just like wagons or manual transmissions, car journalists loves them, but they don't turn into sales.
I agree. It use to say the the tiguan had lost its nimble and fun European feel, and now it makes it number #2. I wonder if VW made changes for 2020, or if it just ranked very differently this time around. It was on my short list, but I never got to drive one.
To me what hurts the CX-5 is that it is a bit too small compared to the competition, if it was just a bit bigger it would be a no-brainer for non-hybrid in my mind.
But the RAV-4 hybrid is what is selling like hot potatoes right now, there is a long wait list to get one, and forget even trying to negotiate on the price.
This may be because they are using the 1 foot roll-out for their 0-60 time. Although other magazines are also using it. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a30085446/acceleration-testing-procedure-change-rollout/
